"Check your weapons, prepare for battle!" Kalin bellowed, casting a disdainful glance at Alexander and said, "What are you dazed about? You've been through several bug surges, haven't you? Or have you just been standing back and watching the show!" While speaking, he fiddled with the firearm in his hands.
Alexander, not in the mood for a verbal spar, mimicked the other's actions, gently pulling on the gunstock, revealing a metallic plate.
Inside the gunstock, carved from hollowed white stone, lay embedded black beetle corpses, clearly serving a purpose similar to bullets or batteries. After a glance, Alexander closed the gunstock, raised the gun, and aimed at the black swarm of bugs outside the city.
The swarm drew closer, and behind him, from the towers in each base, black light gathered in the white barrels of the cannons. Alexander finally understood what it was that held back these swarms.
